1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,162 WWW.MY-SUBS.COM 1 00:00:01,022 --> 00:00:04,098 I am ex-Detective Inspector Walter Henry Thompson 2 00:00:05,062 --> 00:00:10,002 and was Winston Churchill's bodyguard for a period of nearly 18 years. 3 00:00:12,032 --> 00:00:16,022 In almost any piece of film you'll see of Britain's great wartime leader, 4 00:00:16,058 --> 00:00:20,068 this is the man in the background. Anonymous and secret. 5 00:00:24,024 --> 00:00:31,004 Until now, his critical role in saving the life of Churchill from series of attacks has been hidden from the wider public. 6 00:00:33,090 --> 00:00:39,026 He himself intended that he would never be taken alive, and he issued direct instructions to me 7 00:00:39,050 --> 00:00:42,022 I was to have his 45 colt , fully loaded 8 00:00:42,062 --> 00:00:47,050 He intended to use every bullet but one on the enemy. The last one he saved for himself. 9 00:00:48,058 --> 00:00:52,078 After the war, Walter Thompson's censored book told just part of the story. 10 00:00:53,008 --> 00:00:56,048 His full memoirs were suppressed even by Churchill himself. 11 00:00:56,088 --> 00:01:03,078 Only now can we recount the number of assassination attempts for Churchill's life, many foiled by Walter. 12 00:01:10,036 --> 00:01:16,024 This series with unique access to these incredible memoirs reveals for the first time 13 00:01:16,064 --> 00:01:19,070 the story of Walter's life with Winston. 14 00:01:21,068 --> 00:01:28,040 Together they traveled thousands of miles on precarious journeys to meet Stalin and Roosevelt and other world leaders. 15 00:01:29,094 --> 00:01:32,024 Together they rode with Lawrence of Arabia 16 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,008 dodge German assassins 17 00:01:35,028 --> 00:01:43,032 Were nearly shot down by enemy aircraft, lone gunmen, U-Boats and IRA hitmen. 18 00:01:46,020 --> 00:01:50,010 This is a story of the political upheavals of the 20th century 19 00:01:50,038 --> 00:01:58,018 Churchill's constant brushes with death and the role played by an ex post office messenger in preventing an early end to his life. 20 00:01:59,032 --> 00:02:01,046 With this weapon he was a dead shot 21 00:02:02,008 --> 00:02:05,074 anyone that came within range of this weapon would never survive. 22 00:02:15,096 --> 00:02:22,044 Sub and Sync by Tekkichan 23 00:02:24,076 --> 00:02:29,078 Before World War I, Britain was not always as peaceful as is often thought today. 24 00:02:30,020 --> 00:02:36,072 In January 1911 the streets of London rang with gun fires as the police and soldiers besieged a gang of anarchists. 25 00:02:37,022 --> 00:02:42,048 Rare newsreel reveals how a bullet missed Winston Churchill's head by inches. 26 00:02:43,010 --> 00:02:48,076 In the crowd was Walter Thompson, he had no idea how this chance encounter would change his life. 27 00:02:50,036 --> 00:02:55,064 This first Dangerous Liaisons set a course for two men of hugely contrasting backgrounds 28 00:02:55,096 --> 00:02:58,080 to spend almost 18 amazing years together, 29 00:03:01,014 --> 00:03:04,056 sharing threats some of which resonate even to this day. 30 00:03:04,098 --> 00:03:11,030 And which as we reveal later would bring them face to face with IRA men fighting for Irish Home Rule. 31 00:03:20,096 --> 00:03:29,020 Neither Walter Thompson nor Winston Churchill needed to be at Sydney Street in London's East End on that Monday in January 1911 32 00:03:29,074 --> 00:03:35,006 but both were there. Watching as the police besieged a gang of Latvian anarchists. 33 00:03:36,066 --> 00:03:40,006 These had already killed three policemen in a botched jewel robbery 34 00:03:40,024 --> 00:03:42,054 and were now determined to fight it out. 35 00:03:46,058 --> 00:03:52,090 It was soon apparent that the gang's Mauser automatic pistols were more than a match for the shotguns of the Metropolitan Police. 36 00:03:54,044 --> 00:03:58,042 So the youthful Home Secretary, 35 years old Winston Churchill 37 00:03:58,070 --> 00:04:02,016 agreed to the deployment of a platoon of Scots Guards. 38 00:04:07,028 --> 00:04:10,042 He was unable to resist the temptation to go along himself 39 00:04:10,084 --> 00:04:12,058 During the morning he arrived. 40 00:04:12,090 --> 00:04:17,084 Resplendent in top hat and overcoat with a fine Astrakhan collar. 41 00:04:18,098 --> 00:04:22,006 It was a great photo opportunity for the ambitious young politician 42 00:04:22,052 --> 00:04:26,098 and by the evening this film was being shown in a theater in the center of London. 43 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:33,062 Watching from the appreciative crowd which had gathered to enjoy the fun 44 00:04:34,002 --> 00:04:40,048 Walter could not have even begun to anticipate how intimately his life and career would become involved with that of Churchill. 45 00:04:45,026 --> 00:04:49,018 I ran there and shoulder through to the front of front of the excited crowd 46 00:04:49,056 --> 00:04:55,042 Shots rattled from the old house, and rifle fire clattered back into it from the police and guardsmen 47 00:04:55,076 --> 00:04:58,008 some concealed on roofs opposite, 48 00:04:58,028 --> 00:05:03,016 others kneeling on one knee in the open street like redcoats at the Battle of Waterloo... 49 00:05:04,036 --> 00:05:08,098 Suddenly we in the streets saw smoke streaming from the besieged house 50 00:05:09,022 --> 00:05:12,044 then flames lit the now silent windows. 51 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:16,050 All those inside died in the fire. 52 00:05:17,062 --> 00:05:24,000 Before the billowing smoke filled the street and cloud in my view, i got my first glimpse of Winston Churchill. 53 00:05:24,060 --> 00:05:28,058 The man whose safety was to become the dominating fact of my life. 54 00:05:28,090 --> 00:05:31,082 But he was in great danger at that moment 55 00:05:32,026 --> 00:05:37,086 I watched the gate as the man who was later to become my boss at Scotland Yard were shot at. 56 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:43,054 Sir Patrick Quinn was standing behind Winston when a bullet from the gunman was fired through his hat. 57 00:05:44,004 --> 00:05:47,058 It was a near miss for Winston who was well to the front. 58 00:05:48,038 --> 00:05:51,052 That bullet could've killed Churchill in 1911 59 00:05:51,094 --> 00:05:54,090 that time Walter was powerless to protect him 60 00:05:55,012 --> 00:05:59,012 But a decade later the situation would be very different. 61 00:06:02,048 --> 00:06:06,094 Like most people in the crowd, Walter knew about the flamboyant politician 62 00:06:07,076 --> 00:06:13,032 I had heard a grea deal about him, much of which was inspired by his outspoken manner 63 00:06:13,056 --> 00:06:17,054 which many people resented and to a degree disliked. 64 00:06:18,004 --> 00:06:21,002 This resentment I'm afraid, influenced me. 65 00:06:21,032 --> 00:06:25,002 and without any real reason, i did not like him. 66 00:06:25,092 --> 00:06:31,054 At this stage in of their lives there could not been a greater contrast between the backgrounds of Winston and Walter. 67 00:06:33,038 --> 00:06:38,026 One a member of one of the most influential and aristocratic families in the country, 68 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:42,020 the other of a solidly of working-class background. 69 00:06:43,034 --> 00:06:47,064 Walter Thompson was born in 1890 in Brixton in South London. 70 00:06:48,052 --> 00:06:51,060 He was one of 13 children, 71 00:06:52,060 --> 00:06:55,002 and his father, James Richard Thompson 72 00:06:55,026 --> 00:06:59,048 was an insurance agent whose family had lived in South London for many years. 73 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:04,030 His mother, Rebecca was of a jewish origin. 74 00:07:08,034 --> 00:07:12,068 Typical of his class, Walter began working shortly after he went to school. 75 00:07:14,002 --> 00:07:19,024 At the age of 8 i took a part-time job of cleaning windows and brass work in a shop. 76 00:07:23,006 --> 00:07:27,012 He then had to run the three miles to school so as not to be late. 77 00:07:27,090 --> 00:07:31,044 This caused me to fall asleep in school. 78 00:07:32,056 --> 00:07:37,074 To make up for my educational loss I went to night classes for French and sorthand 79 00:07:37,090 --> 00:07:41,032 after i began a full-time work at the age of fourteen. 80 00:07:42,066 --> 00:07:48,076 Walter's formal education had finished and he went to work for the post office as a telegraph messenger boy. 81 00:07:49,052 --> 00:07:53,024 In addition to his night classes like many boys his background 82 00:07:53,052 --> 00:07:58,040 he joined the Boys brigade and learned such skills as military drill and life-saving. 83 00:08:00,012 --> 00:08:04,082 It was all very different from the early life of Winston Spencer Churchill. 84 00:08:07,058 --> 00:08:11,064 Born in Blenheim Palace on the 30th November 1874, 85 00:08:11,088 --> 00:08:15,082 he was a direct descendant of John Churchill The Duke of Marlborough 86 00:08:15,098 --> 00:08:20,076 for whom the great palace had been built and the first cousin of the then Duke. 87 00:08:22,082 --> 00:08:26,060 His father, Lord Randolph Churchill was a brilliant orator 88 00:08:27,008 --> 00:08:32,026 and had enjoyed a brief but spectacular political career becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer 89 00:08:32,060 --> 00:08:36,072 before dying at the age of 46 in 1895. 90 00:08:39,048 --> 00:08:44,094 Winston's father was always a distant figure, but the boy was devoted to his mother. 91 00:08:47,044 --> 00:08:54,066 Jenny was an American from the wealthy Jerome family and reputed to have American Indian blood in her veins. 92 00:08:57,032 --> 00:09:02,088 One of the great beauties of Victorian society, she was friend of many of the leading figures in British life, 93 00:09:03,024 --> 00:09:06,014 including politicians, writers and artists. 94 00:09:08,096 --> 00:09:14,056 His mother's network of contacts was just one of of the silver spoons with which Winston was born 95 00:09:14,094 --> 00:09:17,070 and they frequently helped his career. 96 00:09:19,090 --> 00:09:24,050 After a conventional upper-class education at Harrow school, which bored him, 97 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:30,088 and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the young Winston spent little more than three years in the army. 98 00:09:31,018 --> 00:09:34,058 before the lieu of politics made him resign his commission. 99 00:09:38,002 --> 00:09:45,048 But during this brief time he saw action in Cuba, Northwest Frontier of India, The Sudan and The Boer War. 100 00:09:46,054 --> 00:09:50,020 He showed himself courageous even foolhardy under fire 101 00:09:50,042 --> 00:09:53,084 and a great lover of adventure and danger. 102 00:09:55,006 --> 00:09:58,070 In 1900 he had won a seat in parliament as a conservative, 103 00:09:59,022 --> 00:10:06,010 but in 1904 the bumptious young MP caused a sensation when he crushed the floor to join the Liberal Party. 104 00:10:06,064 --> 00:10:12,034 His reward, a year later was to become junior minister, Undersecretary of State for the colonies. 105 00:10:15,084 --> 00:10:22,026 For Winston with his family background and contacts the opportunities must have seemed limitless. 106 00:10:25,020 --> 00:10:30,060 For Walter, the opportunity to break out from from his humble beginnings would take a bit longer. 107 00:10:31,018 --> 00:10:36,002 But once the opportunity came, the consequences would be far reaching. 108 00:10:36,028 --> 00:10:38,098 The next time Churchill's life was in mortal danger, 109 00:10:39,036 --> 00:10:43,020 Walter would be the man responsible for saving him. 110 00:10:49,084 --> 00:10:54,080 In 1908, still seven years before Walter Thompson first met Winston Churchill 111 00:10:55,014 --> 00:10:59,004 the ambitious young politician gained both promotion and a wife. 112 00:11:04,012 --> 00:11:07,048 In April joined the cabinet as President of The Board of Trade. 113 00:11:07,074 --> 00:11:11,054 At 33 he was the youngest cabinet minister for more than a century, 114 00:11:11,054 --> 00:11:13,054 and obviously, the rising star. 115 00:11:19,004 --> 00:11:23,024 The weekend of his promotion, Winston spent at his mother's house 116 00:11:24,046 --> 00:11:28,092 Clementine Hozier, with her mother as chaperone was one of the guests. 117 00:11:30,030 --> 00:11:32,098 Four months later, they were engaged, 118 00:11:33,048 --> 00:11:36,034 and in September, as Churchill himself wrote, 119 00:11:36,058 --> 00:11:39,068 I'm married and lived happily ever after. 120 00:11:42,004 --> 00:11:46,024 By this time, Walter was working in the rag trade in East End of London. 121 00:11:47,090 --> 00:11:51,088 In 1911 he married Kate, whom he met in the firm's typing pool. 122 00:11:54,072 --> 00:11:58,092 He was a fit and athletic young man, would joined a physical culture club 123 00:12:00,058 --> 00:12:06,004 I was tall and strongly built, and practiced wrestling and jiu-jitsu in spare moments. 124 00:12:06,028 --> 00:12:10,030 He also played football for his company. - I was a good soccer player, 125 00:12:10,056 --> 00:12:15,004 and I was offered a chance to turn professional for the famous Arsenal football team. 126 00:12:15,056 --> 00:12:20,086 But my mother a strict Victorian with fixed ideas of what constituted a worthwhile career 127 00:12:21,026 --> 00:12:23,038 refused to give her permission. 128 00:12:24,004 --> 00:12:29,002 Towards the end of 1910, came the event which was to changed Walter's life forever. 129 00:12:30,072 --> 00:12:35,050 In my lunch hour I took a stroll along clerkenwell road where there was a street market. 130 00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:39,076 by one of the barrows, i saw two men attacking a lone policeman 131 00:12:40,016 --> 00:12:45,016 I grabbed of the men, he back healed me I pushed his arm up his back and held on. 132 00:12:45,048 --> 00:12:49,096 The policeman was now blowing his wistle, and that sound drew other constables. 133 00:12:50,016 --> 00:12:53,026 I helped to get the man along to the police station. 134 00:12:54,030 --> 00:12:59,018 A few days later, a letter arrived, asking me to call at the station. 135 00:13:00,034 --> 00:13:02,074 There, in front of a line of constables, 136 00:13:02,088 --> 00:13:06,048 an officer presented me with a silver pocket watch. 137 00:13:06,072 --> 00:13:11,008 "You're just the type of man we want in the force" he said "Think about it." 138 00:13:11,062 --> 00:13:16,070 Walter did. And urged on by a friendly police sergeant he made his decision. 139 00:13:16,094 --> 00:13:21,082 Without telling my mother, i applied to join London's Metropolitan Police. 140 00:13:22,034 --> 00:13:27,074 From about 70 attended the medical examination, 10 of us were chosen. 141 00:13:30,012 --> 00:13:34,000 After training, i was assigned to Paddington Green Police Station. 142 00:13:34,028 --> 00:13:37,054 And for 16 months i walked the beat in Bayswater. 143 00:13:37,072 --> 00:13:43,022 A good class residential area in which incidently, Winston Churchill lived. 144 00:13:44,066 --> 00:13:51,016 Walter may well have seen Winston as he walked the beat for he was now, one of the country's leading politicians. 145 00:13:52,044 --> 00:13:58,004 After 18 months at The Home Office, Winston had moved to the Admiralty, his dream job. 146 00:14:00,062 --> 00:14:06,016 Walter had to wait untill the end of his 16 months of probationary period as a Constable, before he too 147 00:14:06,046 --> 00:14:09,038 was given a crucial opportunity. 148 00:14:10,052 --> 00:14:15,078 One day a sergeant told me, that Scotland Yard, the headquarters of The Metropolitan Police 149 00:14:16,008 --> 00:14:19,078 was asking for men to fill vacancies in the special branch, 150 00:14:20,004 --> 00:14:24,048 a departement of detectives who dealt with political subversives. 151 00:14:24,070 --> 00:14:31,004 The sergeant explained, that though members of the Special Branch might tackle exciting assignments chasing spies, 152 00:14:31,034 --> 00:14:35,050 Much of the works were routine work consisted of attending meetings of anarchists 153 00:14:35,088 --> 00:14:39,008 and others who had reasons to dislike the British government. 154 00:14:39,060 --> 00:14:43,068 After examination and interview, i was transfered to Scotland Yard. 155 00:14:44,020 --> 00:14:48,034 There followed 10 weeks of training in shadowing uspects and observation 156 00:14:48,056 --> 00:14:52,062 then for two years, i was a a probationer. 157 00:14:53,032 --> 00:14:58,070 Although these last years before the World War I are now seen as a golden age, 158 00:14:58,098 --> 00:15:02,028 they were surprisingly tumultuous. 159 00:15:05,036 --> 00:15:11,010 In addition to the anarchists and spies mentioned by Walter, Britain had its own protest movement, 160 00:15:11,038 --> 00:15:14,000 The Suffragettes. 161 00:15:16,026 --> 00:15:20,066 Determined to gain the vote for women, and rebuffed by male-dominated Parliament, 162 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,056 The suffragettes began using shock tactics, 163 00:15:23,090 --> 00:15:27,048 noisy demonstrations, chaining themselves to public buildings, 164 00:15:27,074 --> 00:15:32,004 and well-publicized hunger strikes to prove their seriousness. 165 00:15:34,010 --> 00:15:37,070 Walter soon got to know the leaders of the movement well. 166 00:15:40,032 --> 00:15:43,040 Indeed I have cursed the most heartily , 167 00:15:43,084 --> 00:15:49,022 hour upon hour I used to spend loitering outside the suffragette HQ in King's way 168 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:53,072 to report their comings and goings, and to trail them with a colleague. 169 00:15:54,064 --> 00:16:00,024 Once you start to trail a person, you have to go on till the quarry is safely askance for the night. 170 00:16:00,064 --> 00:16:04,092 So it can be a heartbreakingly and exciting business at times. 171 00:16:05,066 --> 00:16:08,054 Just occasionally, there were compensations. 172 00:16:08,090 --> 00:16:11,068 The funniest memory i have of the suffragettes 173 00:16:12,002 --> 00:16:15,062 When I was ordered to follow a certain enterprising young suffragette 174 00:16:15,094 --> 00:16:19,066 whose activities were then earning her some celebrity. 175 00:16:20,032 --> 00:16:24,092 she realized that she was being followed, and as it began to pour with rain, 176 00:16:25,026 --> 00:16:28,024 she looked around at me in an inquiring manner. 177 00:16:28,048 --> 00:16:33,084 So, sensing her difficulty, I walked beside her holding my umbrella over her, 178 00:16:34,018 --> 00:16:36,034 eventually escorting her home. 179 00:16:36,066 --> 00:16:39,072 I quite enjoyed that excessively moist day. 180 00:16:40,014 --> 00:16:43,058 But along these routine and occasionally enjoyable jobs, 181 00:16:43,082 --> 00:16:48,018 an increasing amount of Walter's time was to be taken up with tracking down spies. 182 00:16:48,038 --> 00:16:52,044 for tension was growing rapidly between the great powers of Europe. 183 00:16:53,060 --> 00:16:55,080 And many people including Winston hurchill 184 00:16:56,002 --> 00:17:01,092 were sure that it would only be a matter of time before some spark lit the unstable tinner 185 00:17:06,014 --> 00:17:08,086 During the later part of 1913, 186 00:17:09,004 --> 00:17:14,006 the Special Branch began to take an interest in the activities of a large number of foreign agents 187 00:17:14,030 --> 00:17:17,064 who were in touch with the goverment of Kaiser William. 188 00:17:18,042 --> 00:17:22,092 Gradually a huge dossier was compiled, covering all parts of the country 189 00:17:23,014 --> 00:17:28,044 untill practically every ordinary agent had been cornered and assessed that his or her value. 190 00:17:29,022 --> 00:17:34,040 And this led as we intended to the principles the only ones who really mattered. 191 00:17:35,010 --> 00:17:39,006 The watching was never relaxed untill the day war broke out. 192 00:17:39,046 --> 00:17:44,086 and had the crisis not come then, might have continued unrelaxed for many years. 193 00:17:45,018 --> 00:17:48,006 But in the gloriously hot summer of 1914, 194 00:17:48,036 --> 00:17:53,086 The murder of an obscure austro-hungarian Arch Duke in an obscure part of the Balkan, 195 00:17:54,004 --> 00:17:58,038 provided the spark which set Europe ablaze. 196 00:17:58,072 --> 00:18:01,096 Walter and his coleagues imediately went to work. 197 00:18:03,064 --> 00:18:09,014 Within twelve hours followed the declaration of war on 4th of August 1914 198 00:18:09,044 --> 00:18:13,058 The German espionage system in Great Britain had been smashed. 199 00:18:13,088 --> 00:18:17,006 Every special branch men was waiting at The Yard, 200 00:18:17,034 --> 00:18:22,090 While the crowds were cheering outside the palace, we were receiving list of names and addresses 201 00:18:23,010 --> 00:18:26,010 and our instruction regarding the arrests. 202 00:18:26,052 --> 00:18:29,040 I know all the arrests I carried out were peaceful enough, 203 00:18:29,068 --> 00:18:31,076 and i expected others were the same. 204 00:18:32,056 --> 00:18:38,044 Counter espionage and security work, were to occupy most of Walter's time for the next four years. 205 00:18:38,088 --> 00:18:42,088 At first he was based in London, largely following up reports of spy. 206 00:18:43,072 --> 00:18:48,008 The public wanted to help, but they nearly broke our hearts. 207 00:18:48,046 --> 00:18:51,068 Ten letters in every thousands were of the slightest value, 208 00:18:52,006 --> 00:18:56,028 altough every single case however absurd, had to be investigated. 209 00:18:56,066 --> 00:19:02,034 Many nights i've stayed out of bed, observing some perfectly law-abiding citizen 210 00:19:02,052 --> 00:19:05,094 whom someone had made innuendos against in a letter. 211 00:19:08,066 --> 00:19:15,058 For Winston, the outbreak of war with its opportunities for excitement and action seemed like a dream come true. 212 00:19:16,060 --> 00:19:21,068 His enthusiasm knew no bounds, as Walter was soon to witness. 213 00:19:22,036 --> 00:19:27,014 For for early in 1950, one of Winston's detective, were given time off, 214 00:19:27,036 --> 00:19:29,058 and Walter was sent to guard him. 215 00:19:31,004 --> 00:19:33,024 The day was uneventful 216 00:19:33,058 --> 00:19:38,038 ecept for one incident which I afterwards i realized, was a historic one. 217 00:19:40,016 --> 00:19:44,042 During the afternoon, Winston left the admiralty buiding trough a side door 218 00:19:44,062 --> 00:19:50,064 I followed as he and a small group of officials, walked across the vast shale square of Horse Guards Parade. 219 00:19:50,084 --> 00:19:55,006 to a spot made private by a square of canvas screen. 220 00:19:55,038 --> 00:19:58,062 Inside, small mounds of earth had been constructed 221 00:19:58,082 --> 00:20:04,032 and a number of toy vehicles fitted with caterpillar tracks, lay here and there on the ground. 222 00:20:04,092 --> 00:20:10,042 With deep interest, Winston watched while the toys were sent trundling over the mouths. 223 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,058 He asked for small obstacle to be put in their way, 224 00:20:13,084 --> 00:20:17,088 and he smiled with pleasure when the little cars easily climbed them. 225 00:20:18,008 --> 00:20:23,008 Excitedly he said, "we can put a gun on vehicles like that." 226 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:29,038 In the following months, he demanded a design for an armored caterpillar tractors 227 00:20:29,066 --> 00:20:33,040 capable of crossing trenches and crushing obstacles. 228 00:20:33,084 --> 00:20:39,058 Because this was considered outside the Admiralty's province, the experts at first ignored him. 229 00:20:39,094 --> 00:20:44,042 He went ahead and on his own authority had the first tank built. 230 00:20:45,004 --> 00:20:48,022 Walters account is a slight oversimplification. 231 00:20:48,038 --> 00:20:53,000 But there is no doubt that without Winston's drive and enthusiasm, the first tanks 232 00:20:53,024 --> 00:20:57,016 named after the water tanks they were disguised as before being sent overseas, 233 00:20:57,050 --> 00:21:00,066 would never have reached the front within barely a year. 234 00:21:01,054 --> 00:21:06,014 After the war, a Royal Commission inquiring into the invention of the tank stated 235 00:21:06,032 --> 00:21:12,058 "It was primarily due to the receptivity, courage and driving force of The Right Honourable Winston Spencer Churchill 236 00:21:12,084 --> 00:21:19,014 that the general idea of the use of such an instrument of warfare as the tank was converted into practical shape. 237 00:21:23,050 --> 00:21:27,084 That historic day, when the idea of the tank was born on The Horse Guard Parade 238 00:21:28,004 --> 00:21:33,030 was the first time Walter and Winston had met and it might well had been the last. 239 00:21:38,062 --> 00:21:42,052 Within months of his first meeting with Walter Thompson in 1915 240 00:21:42,078 --> 00:21:46,004 Churchill's political career seems to have gone into freefall. 241 00:21:46,060 --> 00:21:52,028 The chances of him regaining high office and needing a bodyguard again must have appeared remote. 242 00:21:54,014 --> 00:21:58,036 For in November, blamed for the failure of The Gallipoli campaign 243 00:21:58,058 --> 00:22:02,082 he was moved from the admiralty and sideline to the virtually meaningless post 244 00:22:03,002 --> 00:22:06,026 of Chancellor of The Duchy of Lancaster. 245 00:22:07,044 --> 00:22:11,028 After six months of depressing inertia, Winston resigned 246 00:22:11,054 --> 00:22:16,050 rejoined the army and went to France to command a battalion in the trenches. 247 00:22:22,066 --> 00:22:28,086 In July 1917 his old friend and Ally, David Lloyd George became Prime Minister. 248 00:22:29,038 --> 00:22:34,078 He immediately brought Winston back into the government as minister of munitions. 249 00:22:35,090 --> 00:22:39,036 Just after Winston's career had seemed have come to a halt 250 00:22:39,076 --> 00:22:42,094 Walter's too saw a fundamental change. 251 00:22:43,096 --> 00:22:50,044 In February 1916 I received |nan instant order to report for duty to Southampton. 252 00:22:51,002 --> 00:22:56,060 Here I joined six others of my department who worked in a large baggage shed at the docks. 253 00:22:56,096 --> 00:23:01,080 The shed was fitted with a general office, a search room and an interrogation room. 254 00:23:02,006 --> 00:23:08,052 And we had to examine 5.000 persons of all descriptions, each week including diplomats. 255 00:23:09,006 --> 00:23:12,020 Walter was to work in Southampston untill the end of the war 256 00:23:12,072 --> 00:23:16,010 and it was in the course of this, that he saw Winston. 257 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:21,002 It was on the 11th of November 1918 the day the armistice was signed. 258 00:23:21,068 --> 00:23:27,056 Early that morning I arrived in London from Southampton, bringing with me a suspected spy. 259 00:23:27,074 --> 00:23:31,072 I handed the man over at the yard and went into Whitehall. 260 00:23:32,006 --> 00:23:38,020 A great crowd was gathered there and as maroons banged 11 a.m. to signal the end of hostilities, 261 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:40,042 they began to sing. 262 00:23:40,072 --> 00:23:44,038 the people gave way as an open car pushed its way out the Admiralty 263 00:23:44,058 --> 00:23:47,042 a roar went up "IT'S WINNY!!!" 264 00:23:47,068 --> 00:23:51,048 I was pressed close to the cart art and saw Churchill's standing up in the back. 265 00:23:51,088 --> 00:23:56,004 Tears streamed down his face as they frequently did in emotional moments, 266 00:23:56,020 --> 00:24:01,004 The crowd fell silent. Churchill said "We had won the war 267 00:24:01,028 --> 00:24:04,060 'but now we need your help to win the peace. 268 00:24:07,058 --> 00:24:13,004 With the hostilities ended, Winston was brought back into cabinet as Secretary of State for War. 269 00:24:15,024 --> 00:24:20,080 Among his task, was overseeing the demobilization of the troops who had been fighting in France. 270 00:24:24,012 --> 00:24:28,062 And it was while he was doing this, he again, ran into Walter. 271 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:32,018 I was on special duty at Southampton, 272 00:24:32,038 --> 00:24:35,092 the war over, troops were returning home from the continent of Europe 273 00:24:36,018 --> 00:24:39,038 and being replaced by other men who had seen no fighting. 274 00:24:39,096 --> 00:24:46,008 A large numbers of these new men living in a camp near Southampton refused to go overseas. 275 00:24:47,028 --> 00:24:50,062 Winston came in Southampton on a ship from France 276 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:54,020 and hearing of the men's attitude, demanded to be taken to the camp. 277 00:24:54,060 --> 00:24:56,072 I told to go with his party. 278 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:01,006 and on the way he looked at me curiously a number of times, then said ... 279 00:25:01,032 --> 00:25:04,054 "Ive seen you before. Where have i met you? 280 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:10,032 I told him and he immediately recalled the day he had watched the toy tanks being tested. 281 00:25:12,068 --> 00:25:16,096 When Churchill stood up to talk to them, /Nthe mutinous soldiers booed 282 00:25:17,020 --> 00:25:19,012 but as he spoke they quietened. 283 00:25:19,054 --> 00:25:24,080 He pointed out that they were needed for an essential job, to act as an Army of Occupation 284 00:25:25,068 --> 00:25:30,044 Most seems satisfied with his explanation, but a few continued to murmur. 285 00:25:30,082 --> 00:25:33,024 Angry now, Winston let fly 286 00:25:33,052 --> 00:25:36,030 "You will go whether you like it or not!" he shouted. 287 00:25:36,050 --> 00:25:40,068 And if necessary, at the point of the bayonets of the men who have been fighting. 288 00:25:41,028 --> 00:25:45,036 There was no further trouble soon afterwards the troops sailed. 289 00:25:46,012 --> 00:25:49,036 Shortly after this encounter, Walter return to London 290 00:25:49,052 --> 00:25:53,066 and was assigned to close protection duty, guarding senior members of the government. 291 00:25:55,046 --> 00:26:01,000 For the coming of peace had not brought and end to the problems and hostilities which surrounded the British government. 292 00:26:03,070 --> 00:26:08,018 The most urgent, and potentially the most deadly was close to home. 293 00:26:10,032 --> 00:26:15,036 Just a few miles away across the sea, in what was in effect, Britain's oldest colony 294 00:26:15,078 --> 00:26:18,014 Ireland. 295 00:26:20,048 --> 00:26:24,050 Demands of Irish Home Rule by the largely Roman Catholic majority 296 00:26:24,064 --> 00:26:29,072 had been growing for centuries with revolts and terrorist outrages occurring regularly. 297 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:35,000 In 1914 the Protestants of Ulster had almost begun a civil war 298 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:40,038 to prevent the passing of Home Rule government of which Winston was a senior member. 299 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:50,010 The situation was only saved when both sides got something more urgent to worry about. 300 00:26:50,052 --> 00:26:53,088 The outbreak of major war in 1940. 301 00:26:56,026 --> 00:27:01,028 Thousands of Irishmen volunteered to fight bravely and loyally for Britain throughout the conflict 302 00:27:02,032 --> 00:27:05,012 But the extreme nationalist party Sinn Féin 303 00:27:05,034 --> 00:27:09,030 won most of the Irish seats in the first election after the war. 304 00:27:16,054 --> 00:27:22,062 Rather than take up these seats at Westminster Sinn Féin set up its own assembly, The Dáil Éireann. 305 00:27:22,088 --> 00:27:29,052 and it's military wing, the IRA or Irish Republican Army began attacks on the Irish police. 306 00:27:30,082 --> 00:27:35,022 The troubles escalated with the British army drawn in to restore peace. 307 00:27:35,052 --> 00:27:39,002 soon there was a full-scale guerrilla war against British rule 308 00:27:39,018 --> 00:27:42,046 with atrocities being committed on both sides. 309 00:27:44,088 --> 00:27:49,084 As Minister of War Winston was inevitably a prime target for the IRA. 310 00:27:52,048 --> 00:27:57,084 And it's hatred of him was greatly increased when he authorized the recruitment of an anti guerrilla force 311 00:27:58,008 --> 00:28:02,058 the Black and Tans from unemployed former soldiers. 312 00:28:04,076 --> 00:28:09,056 The Black and Tans met terror with terror atrocity with atrocity 313 00:28:10,006 --> 00:28:13,048 nevertheless the situation rapidly spiraled out of control. 314 00:28:13,084 --> 00:28:18,026 And by the end of 1920, British rule had more or less collapsed. 315 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:26,092 Walter had been closely involved in these momentous events 316 00:28:27,024 --> 00:28:33,040 for in February 1920 he had been appointed the personal bodyguard of Prime Minister David Lloyd George. 317 00:28:35,096 --> 00:28:39,028 At first he admired the Welsh wizard enormously, 318 00:28:39,060 --> 00:28:43,082 particularly for his courage in the face of IRA threats. 319 00:28:45,058 --> 00:28:49,072 But Walter soon found a contrast between the Prime Minister's happy family life, 320 00:28:49,098 --> 00:28:53,068 and his obsessive pursuit of mistresses difficult to accept. 321 00:28:54,052 --> 00:28:59,048 After a few months, disgusted, was withdrawn at my own request. 322 00:29:03,082 --> 00:29:08,012 Before he left Walter had particularly dislike one aspect of the job. 323 00:29:08,058 --> 00:29:12,074 One which would return to haunt him almost exactly 20 years later. 324 00:29:16,094 --> 00:29:20,028 The Irish were making threats against the Prime Minister's life 325 00:29:20,060 --> 00:29:23,064 and there was only too much reason too much reason to take these seriously. 326 00:29:24,034 --> 00:29:27,098 Never did I have a more disagreeable or nerve-wracking duty 327 00:29:28,016 --> 00:29:33,040 than keeping watch and ward, for lurking assassins during the hours of darkness at Chequers. 328 00:29:34,072 --> 00:29:39,052 The patrol of the grounds which are large and full of dense shrubberies bushes and trees 329 00:29:40,006 --> 00:29:45,098 provided some eerie moments for another officer and i who had to carry out the patrol from dusk to dawn 330 00:29:46,022 --> 00:29:47,098 eight hours each. 331 00:29:49,092 --> 00:29:53,030 Every twig i trod on made me think I was surrounded 332 00:29:53,074 --> 00:29:58,068 the wings sighed and stirred the bushes and the moon made dark moving shadows. 333 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:03,090 In such a garden, one could be stalked and murdered with the greatest of ease. 334 00:30:04,040 --> 00:30:07,076 Several times each hour, I seemed to stumble on an intruder 335 00:30:08,016 --> 00:30:10,010 only to find him a shadow. 336 00:30:10,030 --> 00:30:14,096 Time and again i could have sworn that someone was crouching behind me but found nothing 337 00:30:15,056 --> 00:30:19,032 No one was more relieved than I when dawn broke. 338 00:30:20,096 --> 00:30:26,010 So Walter was happy to get back to normal security duties but this was to be short-lived. 339 00:30:27,016 --> 00:30:32,010 Having arrived at Scotland Yard early one morning at the beginning of 1921 340 00:30:32,038 --> 00:30:34,082 I was called into my chief's office. 341 00:30:35,022 --> 00:30:40,088 "Thompson" he said, "Go to Sussex square Paddington and take over the protection of Mr. Churchill." 342 00:30:41,078 --> 00:30:46,064 For a moment I just looked at him, I hesitated then I said "Must I sir?" 343 00:30:47,034 --> 00:30:51,066 "Yes." he said firmly. "Go and see how you get on for a couple of weeks." 344 00:30:52,024 --> 00:30:54,096 I went feeling I went feeling none too happy at the prospect 345 00:30:55,014 --> 00:30:57,076 but thinking that it might only be for two weeks. 346 00:30:59,034 --> 00:31:02,082 Walter found his new charge brusque and unapproachable 347 00:31:03,018 --> 00:31:04,088 The hours were incredibly long, 348 00:31:05,008 --> 00:31:08,090 since Churchill often stayed at the House of Commons until the early hours of the morning 349 00:31:09,072 --> 00:31:12,004 I longed for the two weeks to end, 350 00:31:12,040 --> 00:31:16,016 when they did I marched into my chief's office at Scotland Yard and said 351 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:20,010 "I'd like very much to be relieved of this protection duty, Sir." 352 00:31:20,034 --> 00:31:23,036 I tried to make it sound more like a demand than a request 353 00:31:23,084 --> 00:31:28,048 The chief looked up, and he was smiling. "You don't want it then Thompson." he said. 354 00:31:28,098 --> 00:31:32,048 "No, Sir. His smile grew a bit sadistic. 355 00:31:32,092 --> 00:31:35,070 "Whether you like it or not, it's yours." he said. 356 00:31:36,018 --> 00:31:39,058 "Winston has asked for you to be with him, permanently." 357 00:31:40,004 --> 00:31:45,032 Walter was deeply depressed by this development but appreciated that he had an important job to do 358 00:31:45,086 --> 00:31:49,092 No one seriously believed Churchill's life was in danger from suffragettes 359 00:31:50,014 --> 00:31:52,032 no matter how much they despised him. 360 00:31:52,054 --> 00:31:57,002 The Irish Republicans however, were gunmen who seemed to mean bussiness 361 00:31:58,030 --> 00:32:03,042 And there was every reasons to believe that Churchill who was hated for his support of the Black and Tans 362 00:32:03,064 --> 00:32:06,042 was high on the IRA's murder list. 363 00:32:09,036 --> 00:32:11,092 This suspicion soon proved true 364 00:32:12,098 --> 00:32:15,094 the IRA were already planning to murder him. 365 00:32:22,008 --> 00:32:27,038 From the day early in 1921, that Walter Thompson became Winston Churchill's personal bodyguard 366 00:32:27,086 --> 00:32:31,028 he had no doubt, that the IRA was out to get his man. 367 00:32:33,002 --> 00:32:37,074 He was also left in no doubt that Winston meant to play an active role in protecting himself 368 00:32:38,032 --> 00:32:44,028 and that his love of danger might well prove almost as big a threat to his security as any direct action. 369 00:32:46,004 --> 00:32:51,076 I informed him that i would take turn and turn about with my junior officer in sleeping at his house. 370 00:32:52,048 --> 00:32:55,000 He was very pleased when i told him of my decision 371 00:32:55,028 --> 00:32:58,004 and then suggested that I went all over the house with him. 372 00:32:59,018 --> 00:33:02,088 After showing me the rest of the house Winston took me to his bedroom 373 00:33:03,052 --> 00:33:05,068 where I noticed that anyone entering the room 374 00:33:05,086 --> 00:33:09,074 would first of all see in front of them, what appeared to be a high black chair 375 00:33:10,046 --> 00:33:13,070 Winston drew my attention to this and pointed to his bed 376 00:33:13,094 --> 00:33:17,036 the position of which gave him full view of anyone entering the room. 377 00:33:18,014 --> 00:33:20,066 He then showed me the chair with the high back 378 00:33:21,012 --> 00:33:24,052 the seat of which had a colt 45, automatic, fully loaded 379 00:33:24,098 --> 00:33:27,060 "I want you to look after that for me, Thompson, 380 00:33:27,088 --> 00:33:32,046 'and see hat it is always in good shape. no one else will be allowed to touch it. 381 00:33:33,032 --> 00:33:37,006 He then lifted up some tapestry, which covered the back of the high-back chair 382 00:33:37,006 --> 00:33:40,020 showing underneath a thick piece of plating 383 00:33:40,054 --> 00:33:42,068 which the tapestry had been made to cover. 384 00:33:43,002 --> 00:33:46,010 the piece of steel was fixed to the back of the chair. 385 00:33:46,052 --> 00:33:52,036 "Now Thompson, you guard me from below and if they come up here I shall receive them behind the steel plate. 386 00:33:52,084 --> 00:33:55,088 'No one will have a walkover ith us both on the lookout. 387 00:33:56,042 --> 00:34:01,076 I did not know at that time that Winston was a dead shot with the colt as well as with a rifle 388 00:34:03,016 --> 00:34:07,000 These were his favourite weapons, the Malaga rifle, 389 00:34:08,092 --> 00:34:11,058 38 Webley Scott, 390 00:34:12,018 --> 00:34:15,080 and the 45 Colt automatic. These is really his favourite weapon. 391 00:34:16,014 --> 00:34:18,006 And with this weapon he was a dead shot 392 00:34:18,062 --> 00:34:21,068 I remember the latter part of the war, he fired at a target 393 00:34:22,010 --> 00:34:24,050 and it was only one bullet was not in the bullseye. 394 00:34:24,096 --> 00:34:28,070 Anyone that came within range of this weapon would never survive. 395 00:34:29,086 --> 00:34:34,098 When the troubles began, Winston was a firm believer that the IRA must be militarily defeated 396 00:34:35,016 --> 00:34:37,028 before there could be any thought of a peace settlement. 397 00:34:37,080 --> 00:34:41,074 But by early 1921, he had realized that this would never be achieved 398 00:34:41,096 --> 00:34:44,028 without virtually laying waste to the country. 399 00:34:50,026 --> 00:34:54,006 So in June, when the Prime Minister put out peace feelers to Sinn Féin 400 00:34:54,038 --> 00:34:57,048 Churchill loyally supported his friend and leader. 401 00:34:59,094 --> 00:35:03,094 Throughout this critical period, Walter was on tenterhooks. 402 00:35:04,070 --> 00:35:09,048 My hand was never far from my revolver which I kept in my right hand jacket pocket. 403 00:35:12,084 --> 00:35:16,026 In contrast, Winston seemed serenely imperturbable 404 00:35:16,086 --> 00:35:21,052 and his willingness to expose himself to danger must have kept Walter permanently anxious. 405 00:35:24,008 --> 00:35:27,082 He rarely made any remark to me about the peril in which he stood 406 00:35:28,010 --> 00:35:30,052 but one conversation i do remember. 407 00:35:31,024 --> 00:35:35,038 He had decided to walk across from the Colonial Office to The House of Commons 408 00:35:35,096 --> 00:35:39,050 and as my colleague was away at lunch, i was alone on duty with it. 409 00:35:39,086 --> 00:35:45,004 I remarked on this fact. Turning to me, Winston said with a wry smile 410 00:35:45,052 --> 00:35:48,084 "You can look into my back, Thompson, I'll attempt to he front." 411 00:35:51,074 --> 00:35:55,082 In October, the Sinn Féin delegation arrived to dicuss Home Rule 412 00:35:56,014 --> 00:36:00,062 and this included Michael Collins, the brilliant guerilla leader of the IRA 413 00:36:00,098 --> 00:36:04,012 on whose head the British had placed a substantial reward. 414 00:36:08,016 --> 00:36:14,080 Like many Britons, Walter found it hard to see his leaders negotiating with a man who was seen as a bloodthirsty terrorist 415 00:36:18,024 --> 00:36:22,058 I had seen Michael Collins coming down the steps of number 10 Downing Street 416 00:36:22,070 --> 00:36:26,038 some days before Winston had decided on this dramatic stroke 417 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:32,042 It was strange to think that this Stern Irishman was indeed the gunman 418 00:36:32,072 --> 00:36:36,056 for whom at that moment, every soldier and policeman in Ireland were looking. 419 00:36:37,034 --> 00:36:41,068 As colonial secretary, Winston was to be one of the four British negotiators 420 00:36:42,024 --> 00:36:46,006 but as Walter observed from his wingside seat, he inevitably 421 00:36:46,032 --> 00:36:49,006 played an active role behind the scene as well. 422 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:52,030 Winston's first intervention was typically direct. 423 00:36:54,096 --> 00:36:58,084 Winston had decided that the leaders of the two islands must meet 424 00:36:59,004 --> 00:37:02,016 and so he invited each of them to pay a secret visit 425 00:37:02,040 --> 00:37:05,062 to inreview him personally at the Colonial office. 426 00:37:06,074 --> 00:37:12,032 I was instructed to make arrangements for both men to enter the colonial office at exactly the same time, 427 00:37:12,052 --> 00:37:14,054 but by separate entrances. 428 00:37:15,054 --> 00:37:20,050 At appointed hour, the two leaders arrived. One was admitted by the main entrance, 429 00:37:20,080 --> 00:37:25,040 the other was letting to the Colonial office through a door leading to the Foreign office yard. 430 00:37:25,086 --> 00:37:31,078 Sir James Craig was shown into an empty room by a permanent official acting under instructions from Winston. 431 00:37:32,048 --> 00:37:37,022 Moments later, Michael Collins was ushered into the same room by Winston himself 432 00:37:37,084 --> 00:37:42,050 who having let him in, step back and locked the door on the two opponents. 433 00:37:44,018 --> 00:37:49,020 Never before had north and South Ireland, as personified by the dower Ulstermen 434 00:37:49,040 --> 00:37:53,038 the debonair lad from Cork stood face to face alone. 435 00:37:54,094 --> 00:38:00,076 Certainly the pair did not emerge arm in arm when their little tete-a-tete concluded half an hour later. 436 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:05,014 But certainly after fortnight, Michael Collins and Arthur Griffiths 437 00:38:05,034 --> 00:38:08,020 were meeting the comittee of the British cabinet in London. 438 00:38:10,068 --> 00:38:15,026 Walter may have slightly over exaggerated Winston's role in getting the talks going 439 00:38:15,064 --> 00:38:22,080 but there can be no doubt, that the personal relationship he established with Michael Collins played a considerable part in achieving a settle 440 00:38:26,018 --> 00:38:31,006 But one of the meetings the question did arise regarding the price on Collins' head. 441 00:38:31,066 --> 00:38:33,084 Collins felt very bitter about it 442 00:38:34,012 --> 00:38:38,002 and reproached Winston saying that he had been hunted day and night like some animal 443 00:38:38,052 --> 00:38:40,082 with a price of five thousands pounds on his head 444 00:38:41,024 --> 00:38:44,076 and this sum was to be paid whether he was captured dead or alive. 445 00:38:46,000 --> 00:38:51,054 This gave Winston the opportunity for which no doubt he had been waiting during Collins outburst 446 00:38:52,064 --> 00:38:54,010 "What are you grumbling about? 447 00:38:54,048 --> 00:38:57,016 'five thousand pounds was a good price to pay." 448 00:38:58,024 --> 00:39:02,012 He then took down from the wall, a framed notice and showed Collins 449 00:39:02,084 --> 00:39:06,046 This was a notice which the Boers had put out during the South African wars 450 00:39:06,056 --> 00:39:10,018 offering 25 ponds for Winston, dead or alive. 451 00:39:10,092 --> 00:39:12,082 "You are fortunate," said Winston 452 00:39:13,034 --> 00:39:15,080 'they only offered 25 pound for me." 453 00:39:16,032 --> 00:39:19,036 Collins undoubtedly saw the funny side of the two prices 454 00:39:19,066 --> 00:39:22,076 and from an outburst of anger, laughter resulted. 455 00:39:23,008 --> 00:39:27,020 And in the end, a treaty of peace was signed between the parties. 456 00:39:29,020 --> 00:39:32,078 Peace may have been signed, but it did not bring peace in Ireland 457 00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:37,028 almost predictably, Éamon de Valera, the president of Sinn Féin 458 00:39:37,062 --> 00:39:40,010 rejected the terms negotiated by Collins 459 00:39:40,026 --> 00:39:42,048 and civil war broke put in the south. 460 00:39:44,090 --> 00:39:48,030 Before it ended, in victory for de Valera, 461 00:39:48,078 --> 00:39:52,012 Michael Collins is dead gunned down in an ambush 462 00:39:54,028 --> 00:39:58,004 and the civil war could easily have spilt over into britain to claim Winston 463 00:39:58,050 --> 00:40:04,018 For in June 1922 came an event which showed that British leaders were still very much at risk. 464 00:40:07,020 --> 00:40:11,050 One afternoon I was watching the Thames traffic passed the House of Commons 465 00:40:12,004 --> 00:40:15,002 I was then in a small room and could see out from the window 466 00:40:16,038 --> 00:40:19,026 Here we used to wait for the various ministers we were guarding 467 00:40:19,056 --> 00:40:24,004 Waiting is a most boring job even though you eventually get used to it. 468 00:40:24,072 --> 00:40:28,088 I went out for a stroll and near the exit door I passed a creed machine 469 00:40:29,036 --> 00:40:32,086 which was ticking over. Normally I did not pay much attention to it 470 00:40:33,018 --> 00:40:36,064 but for some reason i decided to have a look and saw tapped-out 471 00:40:36,084 --> 00:40:40,004 flash, Sir Henry Wilson was shot. 472 00:40:40,058 --> 00:40:43,032 breathlessly i watched the Creed tapping out history. 473 00:40:43,078 --> 00:40:46,086 Dead today outside his home in Eaton square. 474 00:40:47,074 --> 00:40:53,070 It had come. Sinn Féin had made good their threat to use the weapon of assassination on English soil 475 00:40:55,046 --> 00:41:00,052 The IRA had caught up with the Ulsterman who'd comanded the British Army in Ireland in 1940 476 00:41:00,052 --> 00:41:04,094 and then go on to become chief of the Imperial General Staff during the Troubles 477 00:41:07,008 --> 00:41:10,008 It was a killing which would have been all the more shocking for Walter 478 00:41:10,052 --> 00:41:13,096 for he would have to know Sir Henry while he was guarding Lloyd George 479 00:41:16,078 --> 00:41:20,050 He accompanied the Prime Minister on at least two conferences abroad 480 00:41:20,094 --> 00:41:22,094 the first time he had ever been overseas 481 00:41:23,040 --> 00:41:27,036 and as can be seen from this film of a trip to Berlin to meet the French General Staff 482 00:41:27,088 --> 00:41:32,056 Sir Henry Wilson was with Lloyd George with Walter in close attendance 483 00:41:38,068 --> 00:41:42,028 For Walter, it was all getting too close for comfort 484 00:41:43,078 --> 00:41:46,090 and it seemed all too likely that the IRA next target 485 00:41:47,014 --> 00:41:50,006 would be the man he was now responsible for guarding. 486 00:41:50,066 --> 00:41:54,070 The man who had been instrumental in negotiating an unpopular treaty. 487 00:41:56,074 --> 00:42:00,098 For added protection Winston was given an armor-plated rolls-royce for his journeys 488 00:42:01,042 --> 00:42:03,076 Walter rode beside the chauffeur. 489 00:42:07,096 --> 00:42:11,022 To make the would-be assassins task more difficult 490 00:42:11,060 --> 00:42:14,042 I tried to varied our very route to the House of Commons 491 00:42:14,062 --> 00:42:16,072 choosing a different one each day. 492 00:42:17,038 --> 00:42:20,038 But as so often, his charge was not helpful. 493 00:42:21,038 --> 00:42:26,042 He insisted on going through Hyde Park and the park covered half the distance 494 00:42:28,004 --> 00:42:31,062 Winston lived at Sussex Square, just north the Victoria gate 495 00:42:32,022 --> 00:42:35,016 One of the few which allowed motor traffic into the park. 496 00:42:37,008 --> 00:42:39,058 His room at the Colonial Office was in Whitehall 497 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:43,076 which the obvious exit was by Apsley House at Hyde Park corner. 498 00:42:49,010 --> 00:42:50,086 To get from one gate to the other 499 00:42:51,042 --> 00:42:54,076 there were at that times only two obvious routes. 500 00:42:56,052 --> 00:42:59,046 The first is to take a sharp left on entering the park 501 00:43:00,014 --> 00:43:03,050 go along the north carriageway to the Cumberland gate at Marble Arch 502 00:43:03,094 --> 00:43:08,016 and then down one of the roads parallel to Park Lane to Hyde Park Corner. 503 00:43:15,014 --> 00:43:17,088 The other was to go straight down to the serpentine lake 504 00:43:18,006 --> 00:43:21,088 and along its north side to Apsley House and Hyde Park Gate. 505 00:43:26,036 --> 00:43:30,034 Along both routes, there was lots of covers from trees and bushes 506 00:43:38,016 --> 00:43:43,042 and traffic had to slow as it entered the park and stop for other traffic before it left 507 00:43:47,052 --> 00:43:51,042 Walter was well aware that the park was an ideal place for an ambush 508 00:43:52,028 --> 00:43:54,034 and so with the IRA. 509 00:43:57,038 --> 00:43:59,082 One morning when we were driving through Hyde Park 510 00:44:00,012 --> 00:44:03,060 I noticed two men who were standing back from the pavement 511 00:44:03,084 --> 00:44:08,034 suddenly give a signal to someone standing among the trees some little distance ahead 512 00:44:09,060 --> 00:44:14,072 taking my revolver from my pocket, i saw that Winston had also noticed the men and the signal 513 00:44:15,024 --> 00:44:19,000 morever he had evidently read the same significance into the gesture 514 00:44:20,008 --> 00:44:23,046 Perfectly calm he suggested that the car should be stopped. 515 00:44:24,004 --> 00:44:27,076 "If they want trouble, they can have it." Churchill murmured with a smile. 516 00:44:29,058 --> 00:44:33,034 But it was not any part of my duty to pander to the adventurous wim 517 00:44:33,048 --> 00:44:35,076 for a hand-to-hand scrap in Hyde Park. 518 00:44:36,050 --> 00:44:40,094 I leant over to the chauffeur "Step on it drive like the devil!!" i smacked 519 00:44:42,052 --> 00:44:46,004 Walter pushed Churchill down in the back and shielded him with his body 520 00:44:46,078 --> 00:44:50,026 he held him there roughly until they were out of range of the would be assassin 521 00:44:50,050 --> 00:44:52,028 struggling with an angry Churchill 522 00:44:53,014 --> 00:44:54,052 Once he was allowed to sit up 523 00:44:54,098 --> 00:44:58,058 Churchill bellowed at Walter "don't ever do that again!" 524 00:44:59,036 --> 00:45:01,060 It took guts to stand up to Churchill 525 00:45:02,008 --> 00:45:04,018 and a lesser man might have let him have his way 526 00:45:04,050 --> 00:45:09,018 and leap out of the car for a possibly fatal shootout with an unknown number of gunmen. 527 00:45:11,058 --> 00:45:15,086 It was also guts which Walter was to need many more times in the future. 528 00:45:16,076 --> 00:45:21,074 Sometimes he would have to protect Winston as much from his own impetuousity and love of danger 529 00:45:22,002 --> 00:45:23,074 as from any sprecific threat. 530 00:45:25,040 --> 00:45:28,070 And sometimes it would be violently hostile crowds 531 00:45:28,088 --> 00:45:31,006 and the possibility of a lurking fanatic 532 00:45:31,020 --> 00:45:34,032 which would give Walter his nightmares as Churchill'a bodyguard. 533 00:45:35,052 --> 00:45:38,058 For on the first occasion that the two men went abroad together 534 00:45:38,090 --> 00:45:42,034 it was to the seething political cauldron of the Middle East. 535 00:45:47,012 --> 00:45:52,012 There Walter was confronted with a completely alien and potentially lethal environment 536 00:45:54,020 --> 00:45:59,076 and rescued from disaster by none other the Lawrence of Arabia